Who Would Jesus Waterboard? Overcharge? Deny Love?

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Jesus, when he got to town, basically say that his New Covenant would supersede the Old Testament, replacing the vengeful, jealous, petty god of the Jewish nomadic tribes with a more enlightened, loving, empathetic god? And yet today's so-called hard right Christians seem to ignore Jesus in all ways other than fetishism-- certainly ignoring his words-- and instead just hearken back to the Old Testament. Jesus didn't talk about gays or abortions; he talked an awful lot about opening one's heart to the poor. And what about that whole scene in the Temple with the money changers? Can that be interpreted by every Republican "Christian" senator as a way of justifying a vote against Bernie Sanders' bill to rein in usury?

Self proclaimed Christian bigots seem to never be on Jesus' side. They defended slavery. They defended racism. They defend aggressive war, imperialism, and even torture. They managed to turn that whole shtick about the rich man and the camel, Heaven and the eye of a needle on it's head until obscene wealth and corruption became-- in their gated world, defined by their media as the world-- the ultimate sign of god's grace.

Jesus never said "boo" about gays-- unless you want to count general stuff like "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and "Love one another." But yesterday when New Hampshire Governor John Lynch had no choice but to face up to the fact that both houses of his state legislature had passed marriage equality, he refused to sign the bill unless it is changed to "protect" religion and "religious" people. He'll sign the bill after throwing a sop to Jesus-hating bigots. Thus speaketh Lynch:

This morning, I met with House and Senate leaders, and the sponsors of this legislation, and gave them language that will provide additional protections to religious institutions.

This new language will provide the strongest and clearest protections for religious institutions and associations, and for the individuals working with such institutions. It will make clear that they cannot be forced to act in ways that violate their deeply held religious principles.

If the legislature passes this language, I will sign the same-sex marriage bill into law. If the legislature doesn’t pass these provisions, I will veto it.

The publisher of Satan's longtime media outlet in the state of New Hampshire went bonksters on Lynch this morning:

It is obvious from his statement Thursday afternoon that Gov. John Lynch has made a calculated political decision on the gay marriage bill. Whether or not the Legislature goes along with the changes he seeks, and we think it will, the fact is that Lynch has decided that politics wins over principle.

Hack Republican politicians, like John Sununu, are using the marriage equality bill as an opportunity to spread discord and stir up confusion, hatred and divisiveness. Sununu accused Lynch of trying to "wiggle out of his commitment to traditional marriage.... Once again, Gov. Lynch has discovered a way to be against something and for it at the same time. I wish he would spend as much time trying to cut spending in the budget as he obviously has trying to find a way to straddle the same-sex marriage issue."

So once the legislature makes the changes and Lynch signs the bill, that'll be six states where marriage is not criminalized between two people of the same gender. Don't count on North Carolina being the next. Here's a letter a reliable source gave me yesterday. It was sent to a gay constituent of homophobic Blue Dog Mike Mcintyre (who was one of only 17 Democrats to vote with most Republicans against-- not marriage equality but hate crimes). Yes, that's correct, Mike McIntyre who calls himself a Christian and calls himself a Democrat and whose own brother is rumored to be gay, is in favor of hate crimes.

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about hate crimes legislation. I appreciate your thoughts on this measure, and I share your concerns.

On April 29, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I opposed this bill because of my concern that it would be tantamount to "thought crime" legislation. Any American found guilty of a hate crime would face punishment above and beyond the original offense. Please be assured that I will continue to oppose hate crimes legislation that would unfairly elevate a special category of crime victims above others who suffer equally violent crimes and would have a chilling effect on freedom of speech and religious freedom.

Thank you for contacting me about this important issue. I will continue to be a strong voice for you in Washington. If you would like to receive my periodic e-newsletter, visit my website at http://www.house.gov/mcintyre/

Sincerely,


Mike McIntyre
Member of Congress

Ironically, with Senator Richard Burr's approval ratings showing he's probably unelectable, the Democrats' surest bet, Attorney General Roy Cooper, withdrew from consideration today. That leaves the homophobic, reactionary Blue Dog McIntyre as the probable choice of the North Carolina Democratic Establishment.

Important anti-right-wing Jesus quotes that went into the writing of the above post:

"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven"

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul."

"Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

"Love one another!"

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be the sons of God."

“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”